Hmmm...Another Reason To Despise Weezer?

Yes there is actually a Weezer Snuggie and as funny as that may be it is truly an insight into the bands seemingly new direction. Now let me think about this...new record label (Epitaph), new album (Hurley) so soon after the last one (the stinky Raditude)...and now a new clothing line at the store...Hurley? A lot of people wondered, I mean I wondered, why on earth would Weezer seemingly name their new album after the character from lost? However just the other day in an interview, Brian Bell stated that the clothing company Hurley, which is owned by none other than Nike, had paid for the albums production and that they did a photo shoot for the clothing for the store. Wow. Then came the retraction on Weezer's website in which he completely made himself sound like a fucking idiot and said that none of what he was quoted as saying was true. Well which is it Brian? Sketchy. Basically Weezer has sold themselves out to a clothing store who put up the money for their album in exchange for advertising of a new clothing line. Not that it hasn't been done before, because it has, but just be honest about it. I was already turning my back on these guys but this really solidifies the feelings I have been having for sometime now. Hello Weezer, welcome to irrelevance!

Here is a link to the Rolling Stone article discussing Weezer's latest follies:
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/17386/194700

Fistful Of Mercy Live Acoustic Session

Ben Harper, Joseph Arthur and Dhani Harrison (George's Son), all got together this past February to play some music together in a studio. They had three days booked in a Los Angeles studio and none of them actually knew what to expect since they had no songs to record. What came out of it was a new band (Fistful Of Mercy) and 9 acoustic songs for an album called 'As I Call You Down' which they will be performing when the three hit the road in October. At first listen they have a very Crosby, Stills and Nash vibe that is dearly missing in todays music scene...sure there are a lot of singer songwriter artists out there but there isn't a band really doing it at this time. So watch and listen to their new song, 'Restore Me', above and form an opinion for yourself.

Rolling Stone Names The Top Ten Beatles Songs

Only ten? Well actually it's just a preview for Rolling Stones special addition issue in which they count down the 100 greatest Beatles songs. Wow, 100 songs, that's a lot. It just goes to show how prolific these guys were in the short amount of time that they were actually together. In the issue there are excerpts of John and Paul talking about their favorite songs which is really cool. The one unfortunate thing is that Rolling Stone is re-using a photo for the cover of the mag that they used last year on an issue that talked about the break-up of the Beatles. How could they do that? Don't they know wacko's like me would remember that? What about all the people who collect the issues, that's got to be sucky for them. Oh well. Here's the link to the article online....

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/17386/194557

Carlos Santana's Tribute To Great Guitar Rock On Covers Album

It must be the end of the summer if I am writing about this because the music news business is really slow. However there is no questioning Santana's talent or his endurance in the music industry, but after his last major success, 1999's Supernatural, I kind of pushed him aside as someone checking in to get paid. That's fine of course and after his long and storied career he deserved some real money for all his efforts. It wasn't my bag baby, the music I mean. Now I love the Santana albums from the 60's and 70's, that's some real old fashioned rock and roll and certainly deserves a listen every so often, so there is a part of me that is interested in what he is doing now. What that is is a covers tribute album to great guitar rock songs, so my interest was piqued. Then I heard some of the artists he was partnering with and it intrigued me even more...so here's a rundown of the songs and who is guesting:

Guitar Heaven tracklisting:
1. "Whole Lotta Love" featuring Chris Cornell (Led Zeppelin)
2. "Can't You Hear Me Knockin'" featuring Scott Weiland (The Rolling Stones)
3. "Sunshine of Your Love" featuring Rob Thomas (Cream)
4. "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" featuring india.arie and Yo-Yo Ma (The Beatles)
5. "Dance the Night Away" featuring Pat Monahan (Van Halen)
6. "Back In Black" featuring Nas and Janelle Monáe (AC/DC)
7. "Riders on the Storm" featuring Chester Bennington and Ray Manzarek (The Doors)
8. "Smoke On the Water" featuring Jacoby Shaddix (Deep Purple)
9. "Photograph" featuring Chris Daughtry (Def Leppard)
10. "Bang a Gong" featuring Gavin Rossdale (T. Rex)
11. "Little Wing" featuring Joe Cocker (Jimi Hendrix)
12. "I Ain't Superstitious" featuring Jonny Lang (Howlin' Wolf, Jeff Beck Group)
13. "Fortunate Son" featuring Scott Stapp (Credence Clearwater Revival)*
14. "Under the Bridge" featuring Andy Vargas (Red Hot Chili Peppers)*
* Deluxe edition only
 
Now that is some music I can get into, I mean NAS and Janelle Monae for AC/DC's Back in Black? The album is due out on September 21st and I will most certainly be picking it up.

Albums I Am Looking Forward To This Fall

This is just a quick list of records that I am looking forward to this fall:

Interpol/Interpol 9/7

The Walkmen/Lisbon 9/14

Of Montreal/False Priest 9/14

Kings Of Leon/Come Around Sundown 10/19

Certainly there will be some other interesting releases, but I will gladly accept those as surprises.

Wyclef Jean Will Not Be A Candidate For Haiti's Next Presidency

Some people are just not meant to do certain things and some can't because they are just not allowed. Wyclef Jean will not be on the list of approved candidates running for the presidency of Haiti come election time due to legal requirements. The main issue is that he is not a resident of the country even if he does own a house and has a personal stake in a television station there. Welcome to politics Mr. Jean. The real reason he will not be on the ballot is that the actual politicians fear that he just might win because there is a clear sign amongst the young and the poor of Haiti that they would undoubtedly support him. Recently Wyclef had been in hiding due to several death threats, no doubt in response to his desire to run, but a sign that things in the country are turning violent. Many are predicting that things will get worse once the announcement is made that Wyclef will not be on the ballot. In my opinion I think he should make some sort of statement in the hopes of diminishing the violence that is sure to errupt as well as dedicating himself to continuing to be an ambassador of the country, that is where his true talent lies, besides the fact that it may be a lot safer for him in the long run.

Revisiting The Classics: Beavis And Butthead Set To Return

Back in the day MTV actually used to play videos, a lot of videos, and for most of us that is what we liked. However (unfortunately) MTV decided that ratings were way more important and now gear most of their content towards teenagers. Sorry it's true. So when we want to see videos we have to go to YouTube or Vevo or wherever else they have videos. I used to like leaving on my TV to see what video would play next, kind of like a radio station. Of course that format got a little tiresome so changes had to be made. During the 90's MTV started to infuse some programming, one of those shows being the infamous Beavis and Butthead, in which cartoon characters spent time watching video's and got themselves into the usual high jinx as cartoons often do. Often times the videos that they showed got extremely popular and even helped some bands careers...ie see Rob Zombie (it's a fact). So when I heard the other day that MTV was resurrecting the show it brought back a lot of memories, one of those memories being when B & B talked about Radiohead's first big hit 'Creep.' Please watch and learn.

Joaquin Phoenix Was Just Filming A Movie

Apparently my suspicions were correct in that Joaquin Phoenix was doing it all for a role. He didn't quit acting to become a rapper, he was acting the entire time. No matter what he says I wouldn't believe a word because it's all part of the rouse and promotion for a very interesting film. With that said I have attached the link to the films trailer...'I'm Still Here' and I bet it will be very good, you decide if you would like to see it or not.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2spHiYOORc&feature=player_embedded

Julian Casablancas Wants To Write A New Theme Song For The Mets?

What's even more interesting is that Keith Hernandez, former Mets player and current Mets broadcaster, is a fan of the Strokes and thinks it would be a great idea. Wow. Weird, maybe. I in fact think it's a great idea and can really bring a new twist to the Mets and their new ballpark Citi Field out in Flushing. Can't wait to hear what he comes up with.

M.I.A.'s New Video XXXO Isn't Great But She Looks Hot

The song is ok...I really just posted this because she looks so good in the video. It kind of reminds me of a cheesy 'Bollywood' movie, I think that's what she was going for.

John Lennon's Killer's Parole Hearing Postponed

John Lennon would have turned 70 this October if not for that guy in the corner of this photo. That's Mark David Chapman asking for an autograph before killing the former Beatles frontman at a later date. Scary isn't it. Yoko Ono, John's widow, has begged the parole board to keep MDC behind bars for the rest of his life because of what he did back in 1980, but you gotta think he will get released at some point. Personally I think they should let Julian and Sean Lennon beat the shit out of this guy if he does in fact get let out.

Love Him Or Hate Him, Kayne West Is Pretty Damn Interesting

And so is this little snippet of his new video for 'Power.' Maybe he didn't create the video or even come up with the idea but the point is that he put his name on it and put it out there for all of us to form our own opinions. My opinion? I think the video is pretty freakin' cool...will I buy the new album when it comes out? Probably not.

Weezer's New Song Makes Me Want To Puke

This is the new album cover for 'Hurley' and it makes me want to puke even more. That of course is the guy from Lost and you know what? I don't give a shit anymore...adios Weezer, you are dead to me.

Arcade Fire Live At Madison Square Garden, NYC 8/5/10: Rococo

Absolutely great video of Arcade Fire in concert in New York City from last week and for those of us unlucky enough to have not been there Terry Gilliam of Monty Python fame filmed the whole show and it's available to watch on YouTube! Here is just a smidge of the concert for you to watch at home. Rococo!

Weezer Announce New Record Out 9/14, Do We Even Care???

That's the Lego version of Weezer in the picture and a good representation of what the band has become over the last couple of years, a plastic shell of themselves. They have really turned the corner of cheese as I like to say, especially the last record they released, Raditude, which is an incredible piece of crap and I am being nice. It's so disappointing, they used to be so cool but at this point I just think they should go away. So when I heard the news that they had signed with a new label, Epitaph, and were planning on releasing a new record, Hurley, on September 14th, I don't think it would surprise anyone if I asked myself...'Do I even care anymore?' I am just not sure. Their last four albums have been a steady decent into oblivion ending of course with the aforementioned piece of crap Raditude. So am I just supposed to ignore all of that and believe what Rivers Cuomo says about the new record? That it has a lot more raw rock energy on it? I don't think so. This new record is just a ruse. It's just too soon for them to put out a record of any substance but they are doing whatever they can to wash out the bad taste in everyones mouth by putting out some new music so quickly. Historically in the music industry this simply doesn't work. Great records or great music takes time to produce, especially these days with all the distractions and nothing in Weezer's current history would suggest a triumphant return to form. However being the person that I am, which is very forgiving, I will certainly take some time to listen to the record when it comes out and give these guys another chance. But, and it's a big but, if it's anything similar to the last four records they have released, I can honestly say that I will no longer have any interest in this band...period.

Beach Boys Threaten To Sue Katy Perry

Look you can't use someone else's published words or lyrics for your own without getting permission. It's pretty simple and yet it continues to go on and on in the music industry. In KP's new song California Gurls, Snoop Dog utters the line...'I wish they all could be California Girls,' using the exact lyrics from the 1965 Beach Boys tune of the same name. You can't do that my friends and someone in your record company should know that because that's what they are there for. They simply just ignored the fact that they needed to pay for those rights and sorry Katy you need to be a bit more responsible for the music you produce, just ask Vanilla Ice.

Kings Of Leon Announce New Record Out 10/19

In a bit of a surprising announcement Kings Of Leon will be releasing their 5th studio album, Come Around Sundown, on October 19th, a little sooner than I first thought. I had heard that they were playing the new material on their current tour which has come so quickly after their whirlwind success over the last year and a half, but I certainly understand the bands need to move on to new material. Of course I am looking forward to it because I have liked KOL right from the very beginning and have enjoyed their musical growth. Here's to hoping that the new music is as great as their previous stuff.

Arcade Fire's 'The Suburbs' Is So Good It's Ridiculous!

I know I am completely biased about Arcade Fire but I don't think there has been a finer record released this year so far and I don't think there will be either. Exquisite. Heartfelt. Sorrowful. Beautiful. Poignant. I could most certainly go on describing the album with pointedly chosen words but really it must be experienced. Now if you haven't been lucky enough to listen and appreciate the music of Arcade Fire now is the time to pounce much like a leopard to it's prey, you must feed. This is how I feel about a lot of my music, it's just as important to me as food and that is my paradox, I must eat to survive (not cheeseburgers) and listen to music to live. Right now only one other group holds more power over me than Arcade Fire and that is Radiohead, very high praise indeed for the group from Montreal since Radiohead have been a part of my life for more than 15 years. There's just something about what Arcade Fire is doing, where they fit in...or do they? There is so much music these days, while really good, that sounds so similar that you might in fact confuse many of the bands you are listening too, a very common occurrence in the history of music. However there are those select few that no matter what happens they always stand out. Their music is up just a bit higher on the pedestal and it stays there to be remembered. And this is where Arcade Fire reside now that they have released their third album. Prior to that, two albums was clearly not enough to judge so highly but it was pretty close. So far several songs really stand out to me, not to say that there is a bad song in the bunch because there isn't. The opener 'The Suburbs' is a fantastic way to begin with the equally great 'Ready To Start' following at number two. 'Rococo' the number three track has a haunting beginning...aw forget it, every song is freakin' great, I could be here all day. Just go out and pick this up....I repeat get off your lazy ass, step away from the computer, go to the store and remember what it feels like to buy a new album. P.S. I ain't burning a copy for no one, you are on your own.

Interpols New Video For 'Lights': A Little Weird

...But I like it, of course...

Radiohead Lend There Song 'Videotape' To Help Aid Unicef

Radiohead have donated the use of their song 'Videotape' to help the Unicef initiative 'Put It Right,' which aims to provide children everywhere with clean water, health care, schooling and protection from exploitation. Here is the video in which the initiative is promoted. Good cause, good song.